May 20/11 0:11 am - Tour of California: Stage 5

Posted by Editoress on 05/20/11

Mission accomplished for McCarty and SpiderTech on Stage 5 of Tour of California

The fifth stage of the Tour of California featured the longest road race of the tour, a 217.4 kilometre journey from Seaside to Paso Robles. Riders took the start early at 9:30am PT. On the agenda today, Team SpiderTech was to protect the King of the Mountain jersey that Jonathan Patrick McCarty was proudly wearing, a symbol of excellence awarded to the best climber.

McCarty, a native of Austin, Texas, started the day in the peloton throughout the first points climb, and joined the break in the second climb. McCarty won the second points climb amongst a small group of rider and went on to finish second in the third climb. In an intense duel with Jesse Anthony of Team Kelly Benefits Strategies, McCarty brilliantly managed the climb and took the maximum points to preserve the red King of the Mountain jersey.

“It was a fast stage from start to finish! The start was real tough for me, but with the help of the team and Svein Tuft in particular, I was able to pull it together and make the break of the day! This was so key to the jersey as I could begin to mark more points and win the KOM jersey,” said Pat McCarty. “ This was our #1 goal for the team and we succeeded. After today, I’m feeling good and up for the challenge to defend in the big mountains on Stage 7.”

“The game plan was for Pat to be in the early break. This was the challenge. Off the sound of the gun, the race was seriously hard. Four riders went away and we thought that might be it with no points to grab, but the peloton kept them close and when the time was right, Svein Tuft set up Pat for the bridge across in a perfect timing and class. The break newly formed with 10 riders. Pat proceeded to win two of the three KOM’s and secured the lead,” said Steve Bauer. “Well done Pat, superb day for Team SpiderTech powered by C10.”

Stefan Denifl of Team Leopard Trek along with 2004 World Champion Oscar Freire of Rabobank attacked after the last climb of the day, and managed to increase and maintain their lead over the peloton. Then bad luck for the attack group as Gomez suffered a puncture, which all of sudden put all the pressure on Freire to keep the lead and finish by himself.

With just over 10km left, the peloton tried to bring back the attack solely led by Frier. Slowly, the gab reduced and with 2 kilometres left, the thinned peloton caught Freir. After a few failed attacks for the win, the sprinters ahead of the peloton strategically positioned themselves for the final sprint to the line. At the end of the day, 21-year old Peter Sagan of Liquigas-Cannondale took the victory at the line, edging inches from the finish line both Leigh Howard of HTC Highroad and Ben Swift of Sky Procycling.

Christopher Horner of Team RadioShack today wore the Golden jersey after dominantly winning the fourth stage yesterday. Horner managed to keep the Golden jersey, still with a lead of 1:15 over Levi Leipheimer, his teammate and closest rival.

Tomorrow will be the 24-km time trial in Solvang. The best solo riders will be racing against the clock, one at a time.